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Gombe kicks off training for 1,103 beneficiaries under NDE’s initiative

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The National Directorate of Employment on Thursday launched the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, with a target to train 41,307 Nigerians across the country, as Gombe contributes no fewer than 1,103.

Our correspondent reports the training includes vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, ICT and public works skills.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Gombe, the Director-General of the NDE, Silas Agara, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the commencement of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, with a target to train 41,307 Nigerians across the country, out of which Gombe State has 1,103 beneficiaries,” Agara said.

Represented by the State Coordinator Mawa Lamu, the DG added, “In 2024, the Directorate made strides in fulfilling its mandate of employment generation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

The first phase of the programme, which was launched nationwide on December 6, 2024, trained 32,692 unemployed Nigerians in different skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. According to Agara, the beneficiaries acquired vocational and ICT competencies, while others benefited from agricultural and small-scale enterprise support.

He added, “A total of 5,532 beneficiaries were resettled with loans and starter packs, while others were linked to credit-granting institutions under our soft loan scheme.”

Building on those successes, Agara disclosed that the NDE had improved its processes for the second phase. “We have digitised our registration portal with scalable backends and geofenced capabilities. This has made our processes more transparent, fair and equitable, while providing us with a credible database,” he explained.

To ensure inclusivity, a minimum of four trainees were selected from each of the 8,809 electoral wards in Nigeria, bringing representation from all 36 states and the FCT.

“Furthermore, a total of 14,457 beneficiaries will be resettled with starter packs to help them establish themselves in their chosen fields. At the end of the second phase of RHEI 2, participants will be equipped with skills to enhance employability, foster entrepreneurship, improve livelihoods and contribute to national economic growth.”

Agara admitted that the NDE continues to face challenges of limited budgetary resources but stressed that the Directorate remains committed to equipping unemployed Nigerians with demand-driven skills.

“Despite the challenges, our goal remains to empower individuals to become employers of labour and wealth creators in the near future,” he noted.

Congratulating the new trainees, Agara encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity. “You made it through a rigorous and thorough registration process that speaks to your potential,” he said. “I urge you to make the best use of this opportunity to better your lives, your communities and the nation at large.”

He then formally declared the programme open, adding, “It is my singular honour and privilege to flag off the training component of the Second Phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.”

Master trainer, Haruna Ahmed, urged them to change the narrative by giving their best, adding, “Do not sell the starter packs given to you. Instead, use them to create wealth.”

Director Education Resource Centre, Gombe, Kabir Mahdi, urged the participants to utilise the opportunity well, stressing, “If you apply what you learnt, you will become better for it, you will not remain the same.”

One of the beneficiaries, Jabir Dahiru, lauded NDE for the opportunity, saying, “I’m grateful to NDE for the opportunity. We will maximise the benefits of the training.”

It was earlier reported that the NDE had opened online registration for Phase Two of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, aimed at tackling unemployment and equipping Nigerians with vocational and digital skills.

Director-General of the NDE, Mr Silas Agara, announced the launch of the registration portal and the supporting digital infrastructure in Abuja.

“After the success of Phase One, we have enhanced our infrastructure to make Phase Two fully digital.

“We have deployed robust hardware, software, and internet connectivity to all 37 states, including the FCT, to ensure seamless operations,” Agara said.

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Trump administration cuts energy projects, freezes New York funding

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The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate dozens of clean energy projects and freeze billions of dollars for major projects in New York, intensifying a stand-off with Democrats over a US government shutdown.

US media outlets described the moves announced by the energy and transportation departments as part of the administration’s efforts to pressure Democrats in Congress to agree on a deal to end the shutdown.

US President Donald Trump had raced to enact hard-right policies even before the shutdown began after midnight on Tuesday, threatening mass firings and to slash government departments, and blaming Democrats for Congress’ failure to resolve a funding stand-off.

The Department of Energy announced on Thursday “the termination of 321 financial awards supporting 223 projects, resulting in a savings of approximately $7.56 billion for American taxpayers.”

It said in a statement that those projects — overseen by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and other bodies — “did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs… and would not provide a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.”

However, recipients of federal funding have 30 days to appeal against a termination decision, and some have already begun the process, the statement said.

It did not list the projects in question.

In a post on social media platform X, Russell Vought, who heads the powerful Office of Management and Budget, called the slashed projects “Green New Scam funding” that was used to advance “the Left’s climate agenda”.

He listed the states affected by the decision. They include California, New York and 14 others — all blue states where Trump failed to win in the 2024 presidential elections.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said the Trump administration had decided to cancel “up to $1.2 billion” slated for a major hydrogen energy project, threatening tens of thousands of jobs.

“In Trump’s America, energy policy is set by the highest bidder, economics and common sense be damned,” Newsom said in a statement, vowing to keep pursuing a “clean energy strategy… no matter what DC tries to dictate.”

In New York — the home state of top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — the Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday it was freezing nearly $18 billion in federal funding for two major infrastructure projects, the Second Avenue subway and Hudson Tunnel.

The move takes aim at diversity, equity and inclusion policies, according to the department’s statement, saying that subsidizing projects with “race- and sex-based contracting requirements… is unconstitutional, counter to civil rights laws, and a waste of taxpayer resources.”

The funds would be frozen until a “quick administrative review is complete,” it said.

“Thanks to the Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries shutdown, however, USDOT’s review of New York’s unconstitutional practices will take more time,” it added, saying that the department “has been forced to furlough the civil rights staff responsible for conducting this review.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement that halting funding for “critical infrastructure projects” was “political payback and an attack on New York.”

“Donald Trump has been clear: he is intent on using his reckless government shutdown to hurt the American people,” she said.

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Shettima returns to Abuja after attending UNGA, meetings in Germany

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and high-level engagements in Germany.

The vice president’s aircraft touched down at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Thursday, where he was received by senior government officials.

During the week-long engagements, Shettima delivered the President’s national statement at the UNGA, calling for comprehensive reforms of the global body.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is being welcomed some government officials at the airport. Photo: State House

He also advocated Africa’s sovereignty over its estimated $700 billion mineral resources and strengthened Nigeria’s partnerships with the United Kingdom, the Gates Foundation, and other international stakeholders.

In New York, Shettima met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who commended Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

The vice president also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunities to global investors and assured members of the Nigerian diaspora of continued engagement in the Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes.

He later proceeded to Germany for further strategic meetings before returning to the country.

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Lagos unveils artisan certification to curb building collapse

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The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory has launched a new certification and training programme for artisans in the construction industry as part of efforts to stem the spate of building collapses in the state.

The initiative, known as the Certified Structural Integrated Programme, was unveiled at a stakeholders’ forum held in Ese-Offin and Badagry, where block moulders, bricklayers, concrete mixers, steel fabricators and welders converged to pledge support for safer construction practices.

In a statement on Thursday by the Lagos Government, General Manager of LSMTL, Olayinka Abdul, said the programme marked a decisive step in tackling recurring tragedies linked to substandard construction materials.

“Without artisans, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every construction is safe, sound, and secure. We need to earnestly curb episodes of collapse in high-water-prone communities, and we do not want such in your community. It ends today,” he said.

According to the statement, the CSIP is a five-year assessment programme aimed at certifying construction materials as fit-for-purpose.

It will also produce an official directory of approved block moulders, concrete mixers and steel fabricators, to whom developers will be directed for supplies.

“This is not just about enforcement; it is about partnership and empowerment. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance that makes Lagos a model for building safety and integrity,” Abdul added.

Technical experts at the forum highlighted the scientific backing for the initiative. Director of the Soil and Geotechnics Unit, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stressed the need for mandatory soil tests before construction.

Similarly, Kayode Akinfeleye of the Technical Services Department advised builders to ensure architectural drawings are obtained and preserved, describing them as “a core requirement in the Lagos building process.”

Artisan guild leaders welcomed the initiative. Chairman of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, Alhaji Fabiyi Oyeleke, described frequent collapses as “disheartening” and commended the forum as a step in the right direction.

On his part, Chairman of the Lagos State Bricklayers Association, Mr. Fashina Aro, noted the peculiarities of Lagos’s swampy terrain and urged all stakeholders to ensure materials and soil tests are completed before bricklayers commence work on any site.

Building collapse has been a persistent challenge in Lagos, with many lives lost and substantial property damage over the years.

In recent incidents, emergency responders have had to rescue workers from collapsed structures.

PUNCH Online reports that rescue teams pulled eight workers from the debris of a collapsed building in September.

Reports by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild show Lagos accounts for about 55% of recorded building collapse incidents in Nigeria over the past several decades.

In response, Lagos has taken steps to strengthen bodies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency, enhancing enforcement, monitoring, and regulation of building standards.

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